A couple of questions from the new guy

[Fleabag Friend]

I've been lurking on the forums for a while and figured I'd get involved! So take it easy on the new guy, I'm not entirely familiar with the way things work yet, so I'm going to see if a thread doesn't get things rolling for me. I've got a couple questions for you folks.

First Question, I recently purchased a Case Antique river logs Copperlock, and my goodness what a beautiful looking blade. Dropped $70+ on the damn thing too. But here's the issue, I get it home and get to using it only to find that its got a good bit of lateral play (if that's how you'd describe it, let me explain a little further). See, it locks up good and tight, but if you go to cut on something, a stick for example, you can literally feel the blade move up with the lock bar. It returns back into place once you remove pressure. The part of the lock bar you press to close the blade moves ever so slightly into to the handle when the blade moves up.

What's the issue here? My buck and cold steel knives don't do this, even some cheapo china knives I've since I was a kid don't do this. I expected quality with the money I dropped on it. If it's a normal occurrence, I guess I could look past it and quit my bitching, but it doesn't seem that way. I'm Considering sending it back to Case to see what can be done about it. Any advice or knowledge would be much appreciated. And I'd be more than happy to answer any questions if I haven't made myself clear enough.

Second Question, I've been eyeing some Victorinox knives, the pioneer and farmer alox, the main difference being the farmer has a little wood saw and the pioneer doesn't. I was wondering how much that saw comes in handy, or how much use it gets with you folks. Should I spend a little more and sacrifice a little more width for the saw blade? I'm out in the woods quite a bit, and have never really needed one, but am curious as to its potential application. What do yall use it for, whats yalls opinion? Thanks ahead of time, much appreciated!

 

[mtangent]

I don't have a copperlock.
The Vic saws are great. Length makes a big difference to a saw, so I buy the longest SAK style, & always get a saw. Really useful.

 

[NJBillK]

Let's take these in order.
1: The play you are experiencing is Vertical play and should not be there. I would send the knife in for a warranty repair/replacement.

2: The folding saw is a nice addition. Though I often use it for things other than cutting limbs.
Cutting fatwood or dry wood makes for some fine fluff to hit with a ferro rod, it works very well for straight cuts when making a trap, and if you do ever happen to need a saw you have a small one that doesn't weigh much.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

 

[jc57]

1. Welcome!

2. What you are describing is vertical blade play. Lateral is side-to-side.

3. I have a Case Copperlock (full size, not the mini) made in 2000. It has a little vertical blade play when applying pressure to the edge, but not much. Just enough to notice. Same way you describe it though. If yours is "a good bit" it might be worth sending it in to Case. If it's a little bit, then it may be normal for the pattern.

4. I have a Vic Farmer, a Pioneer, and I used to have the Electrician. I use the Farmer when I am doing handyman projects around the house. I find the saw to be useful when working with smaller pieces of wood or to start a cut for a regular hand-saw. I read a post on another forum once, where a guy who owned some pretty significant acreage was out walking his fence line and twisted his ankle pretty bad and was unable to walk on it. He had his Farmer with him, and was able to create a walking splint by sawing off some saplings. Said he was at least a mile from his house, so having the saw saved him from an even more unpleasant situation.

For regular daily carry I don't need the saw blade. My actual preferred SAK is the Alox Cadet. I only grab the Farmer when I need the specific tool set.

Also: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/773-Traditional-Folders-and-Fixed-Blades is a good place here to chat about your slipjoints, and
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/786-Multi-tools-amp-Multi-purpose-Knives is where a lot of SAK fans hang out. So check those two out for additional info as well.

 

[xrayit]

Two things I use most on my SAK's is the saw, love the farmer model and the scissors which is sadly missing on the farmer. Don't use the actual blade cutting that much unless I'm cutting some type of food. My go to these days is the field master because it has both of my favorite tools.


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[strategy9]

Two things I use most on my SAK's is the saw, love the farmer model and the scissors which is sadly missing on the farmer. Don't use the actual blade cutting that much unless I'm cutting some type of food. My go to these days is the field master because it has both of my favorite tools.

My sentiments exactly. I almost always have another knife on me, my primary locking folder, so I like my sak to do what my knife doesn't.

My top choice is the huntsman/s17 models, because of the woodsaw, scissors, (and corkscrew).

 

[NDJeep]

I have one Vic...a red alox Pioneer.

I use it a "gentlemans knife" for dinner dates or church or other places I dont want an exposed pocket clip. I made a small velvet pocket sheath to protect the alox from keys or change in pocket.

btw, I dont have any Case slippies or lockbacks anymore. I prefer the better quality of GEC knives. Check out Great Eastern Cutlery if you havent yet.

👍

 

[bralexander]

Hey welcome aboard!
1) The Case Copperlock is one of my favorite patterns. I have had a couple of them and currently have one that gets a lot of use. There is no bladeplay in mine in any direction! Definitely get it fixed or exchanged for a different one if possible.
2) I only have the regular Pioneer, but everyone says the saw is great on the SAKs. If you would use the saw, then absolutely get a model with it. My only caution is this- For me I only want a SAK that has the key ring. I feel these are perfect with a small paracord/leather fob for some extra grip and ease of getting it out of my pocket. Some people don't feel this way, and in fact, say that the keyring produces a hotspot for them. Obviously this is personal preference, but just be aware there are very similar models that are with/without the keyring.
Bruce

 

[Fleabag Friend]

I really appreciate all the feed back! I've decided I'll be sending the Case back in for repair or replacement, and I think I'll be getting the farmer that I've been eyeballing. What great responses, I think I'm gonna be spending too much time on the computer from here on out. Thanks a ton everybody!